Oriental hair fork

I love oriental influences on my pieces. It is like traveling to far and magical lands. Like in 1001 night tales or traveling with flying carpet. Turkey is a country east meet west. Although big cities are highly European and modern still you can find traditions and deep culture also very deep folk cultures. Sometimes these traditions are originated to Central Asia, Middle East or even Roman and Ancient Greek traditions. Here is a hair fork inspired by my inspirations in Turkey.

Etsy featured artist and wood carving

Yesterday İ was featured on Etsy blog as a featured artist. 
It is very exiting, because finally i have chance to show how i work and the story behind my designs to a large number of people.I hope you can share the excitement with me. Here are some photos from my workshop.

I would like to introduce you to some of my woods as well. Those are natural woods with naturally colored that way. No painting. They are very magical as some of them start their journey gray and change their by time. Such as purple heartwood.

Turquoise hair fork hair comb

I have been experimenting with stones. I find them magical. When i was living in UK i use to buy Chrystal and stone books and go to the stone shops  to buy stones and speak with the sellers. Then in Turkey i have met experts who had studied stones in the University and travel around the world to search great stones. This stone is bought from expert shop. And the wood is a precious wood use for making jewelry. The story behind this product is just the universe. When ı look at gold leaves and black and blue i see the universe and our world. It is kind of inspired from medieval maps or magical lost maps.

Gemstone hair fork hair combs and bangle

I have new inspirations this year. Wood combinations with gemstones and gold is a new adventure. The rose wood bangle i created has a moon stone on it. It is an amazing stone, shines different when light changes. And it is carved into the wood on a bed of gold leaf. It gives a very chic elegance.

 

Geometric hair fork /hair comb has an Iranian turquoise. Iranian turquoise is a bit different than common turquoise. It came from deeper in ground.

The pink ivory wood hair fork has a coral fossil on it. It is amazing how is had degrading colors and flower like patter.

Kanzashi hair sticks

Geisha hair sticks

Chinese new year hair styles

Gold butterfly elven geisha hair stick

hair fork hair sticks

Shawl pin hair pin hair up do

Wood hair accessories through ages

Human history had some magnificent jewelry and accessories made from precious metals and stones and bones and antlers. From Japan to Europe women enjoyed adorned their hair with combs, forks and pins. Still we use hair accessories. But for me wood makes a difference from of those of bone and metals.

When we look at the past wood carving hair forks from Egypt found dated back to 1635-1458 BC.


In Asia and Africa wooden hair accessories was also important for both males and females.

16th 17th century Indian comb:


Angola 19th 20th century



In Europe during many different periods hair forks were important. Here is one from around 1860-1945 René Jules Lalique Paris.


Written by Isil Cayzac
Pictures are from Metropolitan Museum.

Deer and tree hair fork and folk stories

I realized I was Gothic when I was 16. It was not very shocking I always liked Gothic art and collected creepy things. I had also collected traditional clothes from Balkan countries. I also had a passion to wear folk styles. So my style become Gothic Balkan clothes. It is very funny but it is like an addiction how fun is to wear traditional clothing or costumes from medieval age. When I create my design i try to imagine I create a jewelry or an accessory for a fairy, fairy tale character or a mythological character. By wearing what i design I become one of them hope people shop from me feel the same too.

A little more about The Ancient Muse...

I like to listen music which helps me to journey with my designs. When I am designing something Rococo I love to listen Lully. It helps me travel back in time. But most of my cute creation come in my mind when I am listening metal music. I am a big fan of Finnish metal bands. I still cant understand the reason of this contradiction.
Tell me yours if you have some funny stories:D